Selecting container for pay envelopes, etc.



Feb. 23 ,1928;

A. J. VINCENT v SELECT NG CON'I'AINER FOR PAY ENVELOPES, ETC

Filed 7, 4 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 llir/110111111111 Patented Feb. 23, 1935UNlTE STTE PTET AINSLEY VINCEN OF SELECTING CONTAINER Application filedOctober TO all -whom 'it magz camera:

Be it known that I, ArNsLEr J. VIN ENT, a citizen of the United States,residing at Lawrence, in the county of Essex and State of Massachusetts,have invented new and useful :improvements in Selecting Containers forPay Envelopes, Fim, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates chiefly to containers used by paymasters indistributing to employees of an establishnient, envelopes contaning thepay to which they are entitled. It is customary to arrange a pluralityof envelopes in a portable tray, the envelopes being arrangec in rowsand being serially numhered. The employees are designated by likenumbers and the tray is usaall carried among the employees by thedisburser, who selects for each employee the envelope bearing his or hernumber. The envelopes are arranged side by side in close proximity toeach other, so that the numbers applied to side surfaces of theenvelopes are not visible, excepting those on envelopes a the ends ofthe rows, hence when the tray is full, loss of time is liable to becaused in finding the desired envelope;

The object of the invention is to provide a. disbursing tray havingsimple and efficient selecting mechanism, whereby the, disburser maypartly project from a row an envelope bearing any desired number, sufliciently to eXpose the number and permit .the delivery of the envelopewithout loss of time in finding the number.

Of the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification,-

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a selecting container einbodying thenvention.

Figure 2 is a section on line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Fig. 3 a :fragmentary section on line ::L-3 of Figure 2.

Figure l is a tragmentary section on line & l of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure l, showing one of the envelopespartly projected.

Figure 6 is a fraglnentary 6-6 of Figure 4.

The same reference characters indioate section on line 'the same partsin all of the figures.

Inthe drawings 12 designates a tray having a row of holders, adapted tosupport a row of spaced apart articles 13, such as pay envelopes, andperinit an independent up- FFCE,

LAWRENGE, MASSACHUSETTS.

FORAY NVELOPEs, ETC.

7, 1924. Serial No. '742,165.

.Ward movement of each article, the articles being serially numbered attheir upper end portions. Saidholders are preferably provided bylongitudinally extending bars 14.-, fixed to the tray, the sides of thebars being perpendicular to the bottom of t ie tray and provided withspaced apart Vertical grooves 15 (Figures 6) which are Open at theirupper ends, and closed at their lower ends by ledges 16, on which thelower ends of the articles, rest, as shown by Figure 2.r The ledges 16are spaced' apart, so that the litter hereinafter described is adaptedto be raised between the ledges and partly project an article, as shownby Figure 5, andby dotted lines in Figure 2, the projection beingsufficient to expose the number of the article.

Movable in the tray is a Carrier, which projects under the row ofarticle holders. The construction of the Carrier may be variouslymodified. As here shown the Carrier includes an upright portion 17,located in'a side portion of the tray, beside the row of articleholders, and an arni portion 18, e::- tending horizontally from theupright portion into a. space between the article holders and the bottomof the tray.

Mounted On the Carrier is a selecting mechanism including an articlelitter 19, normally located below the article holders, the li'l'terbeing adapted to engage the lower end of an article 13 in either holder.The litter is movable horizontally by the Carrier lengthwise of the rowto a position under any article in the row, and is movable verticallyindependently of the Carrier to upwardly project an article under. whichit is located.. The selecting n iechanisln also in- Cludes manuallyoperable means for moving said lft-er to partly project the engagedarticle from its holder.

In this instance, the litter 19 is an oblong member, occupying a slot 20in the arm portion of the Carrier, and pivoted thereto at 21. The upperedge of the litter is provided -with a groove 22 (Fig. 4) adapted toengage the lower end of an article 13.

Said edge is thiclrened to provide shoulders 23, normally resting on theupper side of the arm portion of the Carrier.

The manually operable means for moving the litter as here shown,includes a Vertical plunger 24,1novable in guides 25, on the uprightportion 17 of the Carrier, and provided at its upper end .with head orpush piece 26, and connectionsbetween the lower end of CFI the plung erand the litter, whereby,-when the plunger is depressed, the litter isswungnpward andoaused to partly project an article engaged thereby, as;indicated ov-dotted lines in Figure 2. The preferred Connectionsinclude an oscillatory lever 2 7, pivotced at 28, to the Carrier and at29 to the lower end of the plunger 24, and a connecting-rod 30,pivotedat one end to the lever 27, and at its opposite end to an earllr,projectinp; from the litter pivot 21.

I providemeans for yieldingly supportingthe plnnger Qt in araisedposition and norinaliy holding the ,lft-er 19 in the depressedposition shownby full lines in Figure 2, said means being preierablyeinbodied in a spring' 32, supported at its ,lower end by the Carrierand secured 'at itsupper end at' 33 to the plunger.

The side portion of the tray in Which 'the upright portion 17 ofthecarrier is located, is provided with a cover 3-1, Containing an.elongated slot 35, through whichthe plunger 24. entends. T he Carrieris movable by force applied to the plunger, the slot 35 permitting'sntlicient movement otthe plunger and carrier to looate the litter underan article 13, held by any holder.

To indicate when the 'litter islocated under the desired article, Irprovide indicating means including' a fixed row 37 ofnuinerals on theCover 34, said roW extending par'allel with the row of article holders,and 'a pointer 38' fixed to the Carrier and 'projecting through anelongated slot '39 inthe cover, said slot being' coextensive With 'theSlot 35.

The pointer is preterably aflat-sided ,Strip having' a Sight opening 40,adapted to pose either numer-al of 'the row 347.

t will now be seen that if the disburser wishes to select, forexai'npl-e, the .article numbered 18, he inoves the Carrier to bring'the pointer 38 into'rergistration with ;the numeral 18 of the row 37,and the-n dep'resses theplunger,"the resnlt being the partial projectionot the desired article.

Althougz h I have described an organization including one row ofarticle.holders, and one selecting rnechanisin, it (is obvious thattheorganization may include anyd'e sired number of rows of article'hol'd'ers,

and any desired number ,of s'electing inechanisrns inounted on a singleCarrier; The drawings show two rows of article holders and'twoseleotin'g'mschanisms, both lncnnted on the Carrier, with the 'litters.in alignment with each otheignonc 'selecting mechanisni Coopera'ting'with 'articles held by the holders of one row, 'andjthe other witharticles held by the hoidcrs otthe 'other row.

Itis also obvious'that the container 'may be used with articles other:than play 'envelopes To ensure :an exactness fin thejlocation ofthelifter *under the artic e tote 'eng ged 'tl1ereby, particularlywl-ielr the Carrier ie;

elongated as shown by Figure 2, and is provided with a plnrality oflitters, the outer one of which is at aficonsiderable distance from theupright portion of the Carrier, and :troin the 'plunger 24j,"l provideequalizing nrechanism adapted to prevent the outer end of 'the armportion 18 :troin lagging behind the opposite end of the Carrier, thusCausing' the armportion to always occupy a position at right angles tothe row or rows of article holders, and to prevent the 'upper end ot'the ,upright portion 17'=from swin'ging' forward from the lower portionwhen 'the carrier is being moved. 'Said mechanismpreferably includes afixed upper, rack 41, in the side portion of the tray two-fixed lowerracks 42 in* the bottom porton of the tray, said racks being parallelwith each other and 'with the row of 'article holder's, an upriejhtshaft43, journaled on the up'right portion 17' ofthe Carrier and havinga 131111 01144 engaging 'thenpper rack 41, a horizontal 'shaft 45journaled On thefiarln portion 18.of the Carrier and having pinions 46,engagmg the spond in position with the envelope holdeis 'so that eachnmneral identifies the locatonof the envelope holder containing' 'the'envelope' bearing the same numeral, and enablesthe said envelope to beselected, and removed by any suitable means.

It will be seen that when the tray sin 'tho operative position shown' by'Figures l, and '2, ithas an Open top 'above which jthe articles'supported by the row of holders project so that the upper ends of thearticles are elevated above the topany partly projected* article' being*adapted to' be conveniently grasped and' removed. It will also be: seen'that 'the veiticallypiuo 'able plun'g er engaged .with and guided bythe Carrier, also. projects upward itroin 'the tray top at one.

'side of the row of hold'ers, the plnnger being' movable horizontally.to move the .carrier, and vertically to move the litter. Thearrangeinent is such that the operator is enabled, with aminimum'expenditure ot time to nanipnl'ate ,the phin'ger' 'from a point'above the topot' the tray andbe'side the 'row of articles,- theplungerand 'the' articles 'being sim'lrltan'eon'sly*in the operators'view The cqnne'ctions betwen'the phmger mdthe IUU litter are adapted toconvert a downward movement ot the plunger into an upward movement otthe litter, so that atter the Carrier has been adjusted by a horizontalmovement ot the plunger, the litter may be raised by a depression Ot theplunger.

As implied in the toregoing description and in the following claims, Iam not limited to the specific mechanism Ot the preterred embodiment otmy improvements shown by the drawings, except as otherwise required incertain ot the more limited claims.

'I claim:

1. A selecting container tor articles* ot the character stated,comprising a tray having an Open top and a row ot holders adapted toreleasably support spaced apart articles with their upper endsprojecting above the top, a Carrier movable horizontally in the trayunder and lengthwise ot the row ot holders, and selecting mechanismmounted on the Carrier and including an article litter located below theholders and movable horizontally by the Carrier lengthwise ot the row toa position under any article in the row, and movable .verticallyindependently of the Carrier to upwardly project an article under whichit is located, a, vertically movable plunger engaged with and guided bythe Carrier and projecting upward from the tray top at one .side ot therow ot holders, means yieldingly supporting the plunger in a raisedposition, so that it may be manually depressed, and connections betweenthe plunger and the litter, adapted to convert a downward movement otthe plunger into an upward movement ot the litter, the Carrier beinghorizontally movable by the plunger, the arrangement being such that theplunger and the articles held by the holders project upward side by sidetrom the top ot the tray when the latter is in its operative position.

2. A selecting container tor articles ot the character stated,comprising a tray having a row ot holders, adapted to support a row otspaced apart articles and permit an independent upward movement ot eacharticle, the tray including a bottom portion located below the row otholders, and a side portion located beside said row and having a coverprovided With a longitudinal Slot extending parallel with the row otholders, an angular Carrier including an upright portion movable in theside portion ot the tray, under the cover, and an arm portion projecting into the bottom portion Ot the tray, under the row of holders,and selecting mechanism including an oscillatory litter pivoted to thearm portion ot the Carrier, and movable horizontally by the Carrierlengthwise ot the row to a position under any article in the row, andmovable vertically independently of the Carrier to upwardly project anarticle under which it is located, a manually operable plunger.*ertically movable in guides on the upright portion and projectingthrough said slot, means yieldingly supporting the plunger in a raisedposition, and Connections between the plunger and the litter, adapted toconvert a downward movement ot the plunger into an upward movement otthe litter, whereby when the plunger is depressed the litter is raisecand caused to partly project an article engaged thereby, the arrangementbeing such that the plunger and the articles held by the holders,project side by side trom tho top ot the tray when the latter is in itsoperative' position.

3. A selecting container tor articles ot the character stated,comprising a tray having a 'row ot holders, adapted to support a row ofspaced apart articles and permit an independent upward movement ot eacharticle,

the tray including a bottom portion located below the rowot holders, anda side portion located beside said row and having a cover provided witha longitudinal slot extending *parallel with the row ot holder's, anangular Carrier mcludmg an upright portion mova able in the side portionot the tray, under the cover, and an arm portion projecting into thebottom portion Ot the tray, under the row Ot holders, and selectingmechanism including an oscillatory litter pivoted to the arm portion otthe Carrier, andmovable horizontally by the Carrier lengthwise ot therow to a position under any article in the row, and movable verticallyindependently ot the Carrier to upwardly project an article under whichit is located, said litter being provided with an ear projecting belowits pivot, a manually operableplunger vertically movable in guides onthe upright portion and projecting through said slot, means yieldinglysupporting the plunger in a raised position, an oscillatory leverpivoted to the Carrier and engaged with the lower end of the plunger,and a rod connecting said lever with the ear ot the litter, said leverrod and litter ear being adapted to convert a downward movement ot theplunger into an upward movement ot the litter, the arrangcment beingsuch that the plunger and the articles held by the holders, project sideby side trom the top ot the tra when the latter is in its operativeposition.

4. A selecting container tor articles ot the character stated,comprising a tray having a row ot holders, adapted to support a row otspaced apart articles and permit an independentupward movement Ot-,eacharticle, the tray-including a bottom portion located below the row Otholders, and a side portion r and an arm, portion projectingzinto.theibottom portion of ;the tray, selectingizmeehani sm -including anOscillator "litter pivoted to the arm portion and movcbleihori'zontallyby the Carrier lengthwise oftherOW-ntoa position nnder any article :in:the row, and movable vertically-ndependently of the 'ca-r- -rier toupwardly project;an-'articlez under Which 'it is located, ;amanuallycoperable plunger movable in guides on thefiupright -portion andprojecting through aslot 'in the said cover, means yieldingly snpportingtheplnnger 'in a 'raised position, and ..Connections between the plungerand the litter, whereby When the plnnger, isdepressed :the litter israised and Caused topa'rtly project an article 'engaged thereby, thecarrier being movable 'by 'force applied to the plnnger, andcarrier-eqnalizing mechan'ism' including equalizing meansfixed to thetray; and-movable equalizing ;means mounte'd Oli-the carrier.

,15. selecting container for: articles of 'the character stated,comprising a tray ;having a row of holders, adapted to isnpporta row ofspaced apart articles and '-permit 'an independent upWard movement ofeach article, the' tray including' a .bottom portion located below therOW ofholders,and,a side portion located beside said row and having acover,- an angular Carrier including an upright portion, movablexintheside portion 'of' the tray, and an arm .portion projecting into thebottom portion of' the tray, fielecting mechanifism including anOscillatory litter pivoted to the arm portion andimovable, horizontallyby the carrier lengthwise of the -I'OW :to a position under any articlen "the-row, and movable Vertically independently of the Carrier to upWardly project an 'article under WlllCh it is located, a manuallyoperable plunger movable in ;guides on the upright portion andprojecting 'through a slot in the said cover, means yieldingly-supporting the plnnger in a raised position, and 'connections betweenthe plunger and the lifter, Whereby .When

'the :plunger :is depressed ..the ;litter ;is raised and caused topar-tly project an article .engaged thereby, the Carrier beingnwvable byforce applied to.;the plunger, and carrierfiequalizing. meehanism;including a ;fixed upper rack in the side portionof the tray,

'two lower fixed racks in the bottom ,portion of the gtrayysaid racks:being parallel With each' Other and -with the row ofzholdcrs, an

.npright shanft journaled on the .npright p0rtionxof .the Carrierandhaving a. pinion engagmg the .upper rack, a hOI'LZOl'ltfll shaft-journaled on the arm portion of the Carrier and having -pinionsengaging the lower racks and-bevel gears connecting. said shatts.

In testimony whereofnlahave aflixed my signature.

AINSLY J. VINCENT.

